The victims of the Spanair plane crash in Madrid three years ago will be remembered every day by visitors to the capital of Gran Canaria.

A new square has been officially opened in Las Palmas in honour of the 154 people who lost their lives and the 18 others who survived. Of those who died, 72 were from Gran Canaria.

Tears flowed as the Plaza de la Memoria 20.8.2008 was inaugurated by the Mayor Juan José Cardona and Pilar Vera, president of the Association of Victims of Flight JK5022. Some 200 people attended, including representatives of civilian and military authorities, relatives of the victims and residents of the capital.

The Mayor said the square echoed “the presence of a past that beats in the hearts of the city”. He stressed it was not just a symbolic act but a tribute to the victims who would be remembered daily by the thousands of people who passed through one of the busiest areas of the city.

Also present at the ceremony was the President of Gran Canaria’s Cabildo José Miguel Bravo de Laguna who revealed they had made contact with all the relatives of the victims to say the island was with them heart and soul, especially this Christmas. He also pledged they were with them in their campaign to find out exactly why the plane crashed, a subject which is still under investigation and possible court action.

Spanair Flight JK5022 crashed shortly after taking off from Barajas en route to Las Palmas. It was the airline’s first fatal flight and Spain’s worst for 25 years.

The new plaza includes a glass wall which contains the names of every victim and survivor.